Gospel Reflection 20070701
We can all transmit God's goodness to the world, and this is the essence of evangelization!
No human being can say, "I am incapable of communicating God's love and healing to others." It is our daily service to others (and this includes our own families as well as strangers) that best reveals the Good News of God's Kingdom to others. It doesn't matter whether you are (or are going to be) a psychologist or a bartender, a teacher or an airline stewardess; you can convey a living experience of Christ to others when your service to them is warm, joyful, kind and loving.
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Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Choosing Between Two Goods
Gospel
Lk 9:51-62
When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled,
he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers ahead of him.
On the way they entered a Samaritan village
to prepare for his reception there,
but they would not welcome him
because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,
“Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven
to consume them?”
Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.
As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him,
“I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus answered him,
“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”
And to another he said, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead.
But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”
To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”
It is often presumed that freedom is a state of being loose and unattached. Some people go so far as to think they lose their freedom when they commit themselves. Freedom is construed as giving in to any immediate desire and impulse. And yet such a notion of freedom—"giving free rein to the flesh," Paul calls it—is slavery. We only begin to be free when we start the process of self-definition called commitment. And our freedom is only realized when we give ourselves away in love.
In the Gospel Jesus speaks about a vocation, a call. A man points out that he feels called to commit to follow Jesus. Surely a fine idea! But Jesus does not want this man to have any false ideas: such a commitment of following Jesus is not easy! Following Jesus involves making sacrifices, accepting privations, doing things that at times are not very pleasant. Jesus doesn't deceive anyone! He tells us with complete clarity that there are difficulties involved. Someone, truly understanding Jesus’ spirit, has put these words into his mouth: "I never said it would be easy; I said it's worth while." Following Jesus is worthwhile because the reward destined for anyone who follows Jesus well is eternal happiness.
Consider the following story:
*** A guard in charge of a lighthouse along a dangerous coast was given enough oil for one month and told to keep the light burning every night. One day a woman asked for oil so that her children could stay warm. Then a farmer came. His son needed oil for a lamp so he could read. Another needed some for an engine. The guard saw each as a worthy request and gave some oil to satisfy all. By the end of the month, the tank in the lighthouse was dry. That night the beacon was dark and three ships crashed on the rocks. More than one hundred lives were lost. The lighthouse attendant explained what he had done and why. But the prosecutor replied, “You were given only one task: to keep the light burning. Every other thing was secondary. You have no excuse.” ***
Temptation is a choice between good and evil. But perhaps more insidious than temptation is conflict where one must choose between two good options. The lighthouse keeper in our story found himself in such a conflict situation. So also are the would-be disciples in today’s Gospel story. In such cases the good easily becomes the enemy of the best. One must then say no to a good thing in order to say yes to the one thing necessary. Today’s Gospel is a sequence of four incidents and encounters with people who could have become followers of Jesus but who were held back by ulterior concerns and motives. Each encounter highlights a different concern.
1 The first incident is the encounter between the messengers of Jesus and the Samaritan villagers. The concern that holds the Samaritans back from accepting and following Jesus is patriotism. The Samaritans and the Jews had been bitter enemies for centuries and systematically avoided all unnecessary contact with one another. The Samaritan villagers had probably heard about Jesus and what he was doing and were interested. But as soon as they learnt that Jesus and his disciples were Jews and were heading for Jerusalem, their admiration turned into opposition. Patriotism and devotion to the national cause is, of course, a good thing. But when national interest or ethnic sentiments become the eyes through which one sees all reality, including spiritual and eternal reality, one is in danger of losing the proper perspective. Therefore, patriotism must come second.
2 The second incident involves a man who says to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replies, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Luke (9:57-58). Why did Jesus say that? Probably because he perceived that here was a man who valued financial independence and security. It is a good thing to have high economic goals so that one could provide adequately for oneself and for those under one’s care. Yet when this stands in the way of wholehearted following and service of God, then something is wrong. We don't need the comforts of earth in order to follow Jesus. This life is not heaven. We are not in paradise. We may expect to do without from time to time as Jesus proves to us that we don't need the goods of earth to get to heaven.
3 The third incident is that of the man who wanted first to go bury his father before following Jesus. Burying one’s parents is part of the command to “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). So this is a man with high moral principles, a man who keeps the law and is highly concerned for his religious duties. Again this is a very good virtue. It would seem that Jesus is cold, lacking any sentiment of sorrow and mourning for a deceased person; deficient in the respect we must have for our parents. It's not really that way at all. Jesus is saying that we should not allow religious observance to immobilize us and keep us from following Christ who is always on the move into new territories and new challenges. There are at least two interpretations of these words of Jesus. (a) Some say that those who are spiritually dead, who have no sincere desire to live according to the teachings of Jesus, should bury their dead. So we are to love those who are presently spiritually dead, but we have to proclaim the kingdom of God by the way we live. Jesus didn't convert everyone he met and nether can we. We can exercise the two powers God gave us: to LOVE and FORGIVE one another. This is the way God draws us to himself. That is the way we attempt to draw others to the Lord. By loving and forgiving them. But our first job is to be sure we ourselves are on the way to heaven. If others don't want to come along, we give them our good example anyway. Here is the second interpretation (b). The father of this man is not yet dead, but is very old and will probably die within days or weeks, and the man wants to wait until he dies and then bury him. But Christ says no to that; his call is more important. And that is the idea of all these illustrations that the Gospel gives us. The call of Jesus is much more important that any other call, than any other duty or obligation. We have to listen to Jesus; we have to hear Jesus; we have to respond to Jesus. Nothing can be more important than his call. In the final analysis, Jesus’ call is for our benefit, for our salvation.
4 Finally there is the man who wants to go and say farewell to his family before following Jesus. This man has high social and family values. One could only wish that all men could be this sensitive to let their families know their whereabouts at all times! We cannot help but feel that we would have done the exact same thing as this would-be disciple. Didn’t our parents teach all of us when we were young to keep them informed as to when we were leaving the house and when we would be back, and where we were going, and with whom? Yet before the urgent call of the kingdom of God, social and family concerns take a back seat. “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). By looking back, Jesus means one who takes up a vocation but continues to wish they were doing something else. So in this fourth example, Jesus states clearly that although we may have obligations toward our families, his call surpasses these obligations. If, for example, Jesus calls someone to serve in the foreign missions, we can't say that it's more important for us to remain with our families. Jesus does not disparage family spirit and love for family members, but he does say that his call takes priority over such love. So we have to try to understand that at times Jesus is going to ask of us something that requires sacrifice; at times he is going to demand something difficult, some sacrifice, some renunciation of our own desires... even of those which seem to us perfectly good and reasonable, Let's try, then, with God's grace to seek God's will in everything we do. "Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you." Jesus wants us to serve him in our vocation with determination.
These stories show that to follow Christ is to follow him unconditionally. Can you complete the sentence: “I will follow Christ on the condition that …” If you can complete the sentence then you are in the same situation as any of these well meaning but mistaken disciples. Jesus will not accept a second place in our lives. He will be first or nothing. It is all for Jesus or nothing at all.
All this about Christ's call may seem to be something special, for people who have what we generally call a "vocation." But Christ calls all of us. Christ calls us to a life that is different from the life of people who don't know him. Christ calls us to a life of freedom… freedom from the influence of the devil. The whole law is summed up in these words: "Love one another." If we exercise the freedom of the sons of God, we will consecrate our energy towards building a society of friends, a community of believers who treat one another with respect and love. We will make an effort to live a life in the Spirit! That's what Jesus calls us to. The Spirit of Jesus will help us, will enable us, to live putting his teachings into practice.
Today's Gospel speaks about following Christ. It would be a great mistake to treat these words of Christ as if they were simply something from the pages of history, something with significance only for past times. No! These words and the idea they embody do not refer to the past, but contain advice for us today: the call to follow Jesus faithfully and to put his teachings into practice comes to every one of us today! Our baptism has made us members of God's people; we belong to him! Let's try, then, to hear his call and to live in the Spirit that he sends to help and strengthen us.
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Venerable Matt Talbot
(1856-1925)
Matt can be considered the patron of men and women struggling with alcoholism.
Matt was born in Dublin, where his father worked on the docks and had a difficult time supporting his family. After a few years of schooling, Matt obtained work as a messenger for some liquor merchants; there he began to drink excessively. For 15 years—until he was 30—Matt was an active alcoholic.
One day he decided to take "the pledge" for three months, make a general confession and begin to attend daily Mass. There is evidence that Matt's first seven years after taking the pledge were especially difficult. Avoiding his former drinking places was hard. He began to pray as intensely as he used to drink. He also tried to pay back people from whom he had borrowed or stolen money while he was drinking.
Most of his life Matt worked as a builder's laborer. He joined the Secular Franciscan Order and began a life of strict penance; he abstained from meat nine months a year. Matt spent hours every night avidly reading Scripture and the lives of the saints. He prayed the rosary conscientiously. Though his job did not make him rich, Matt contributed generously to the missions.
After 1923 his health failed and Matt was forced to quit work. He died on his way to church on Trinity Sunday. Fifty years later Pope Paul VI gave him the title venerable.
Comment:
In looking at the life of Matt Talbot, we may easily focus on the later years when he had stopped drinking for some time and was leading a penitential life. Only alcoholic men and women who have stopped drinking can fully appreciate how difficult the earliest years of sobriety were for Matt.
He had to take one day at a time. So do the rest of us.
Quote:
On an otherwise blank page in one of Matt's books, the following is written: "God console thee and make thee a saint. To arrive at the perfection of humility four things are necessary: to despise the world, to despise no one, to despise self, to despise being despised by others."
Gospel Reflection 20070624
Salvation means that we are given the power to overcome sinful divisions and be reconciled with one another and with God.
Sin is more than breaking a religious law. Sin is whatever keeps human beings, collectively and individually, from being whole, from being fully alive. Sin is anything that drives a wedge between God and people, or between people and other people, and thus it includes the social structures of sin like racism, sexism and political oppression.
Jesus said: You shall love God with your whole self and care for other people as much as you care for yourself. (Matthew 22:37-38). Sin is whatever violates this great commandment. Healing and wholeness are God's gift to us for the asking.
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What´s in a Name
June 24, 2007
Nativity of John the Baptist
Gospel
Lk 1:57-66, 80
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard
that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,
and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said in reply,
“No. He will be called John.”
But they answered her,
“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”
and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
“What, then, will this child be?”
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
As we hear Luke’s description of the chain of events leading up to the birth of John the Baptist almost 2000 years ago, we may listen with a bit of skepticism and wonder if it really happened that way. It is as if it could happen then but not today. We may think the individuals were “play-acting” and it was just a story. However, that’s not the case. These were real people, living their lives as we live ours. Zechariah had to be confused. Why would he be struck dumb ...why would an angel tell him to name his son John? Has any father here been told by an angel what name you should give your son? You might get a lot of suggestions but not from an angel! But this is exactly what happened to Zechariah. God had a purpose and there was a reason for John being born at this particular time in history to this particular family.
If it happened today, historians would refer to John as the first super star of Christianity. He became the first martyr. He was a close associate of Jesus, Himself, and baptized Him. We know from Christ’s comments that He considered John a friend and also seemed to admire him tremendously. But at the time this event occurred these were ordinary people just like we are.
Because they were like we are there is one quality they possessed that we should study carefully. They believed in God, Yahweh, and they obeyed His commands. When asked for the name of the newborn child, everyone assumed he would be named Zechariah. However, Zechariah had been commanded by Yahweh to name the boy John. When asked what name the child would be named, he wrote out the word “John” even though there was no one else in the family who had that name. So, as we read the history of the lives of those who were to be associated with Jesus, we begin to understand there was a purpose in everything that took place. However, we seldom apply that same analysis to our individual lives. We might say, “Well, God never had any plans for me. He didn’t single out my life to be something special.” But that’s a mistake. God has a plan for each of our lives but we must recognize this fact and live accordingly.
Zechariah had doubted God and was struck mute. Then he publicly accepts God´s plan and allows his newborn son to take the name John. Only when Zechariah gives his assent to God´s plan does he regain his speech. We too might have a bit of Zechariah in us. We resist God, only to hit a dead end. Bad friendships, habits of serious sin, rising despair -- all start to eat away at us. Yet, repentance is slow to come. Why? "We think that evil is basically good," said Pope Benedict XVI (Dec. 8, 2005). "We think that we need it, at least a little, in order to experience the fullness of being. … If we look, however, at the world that surrounds us we can see that this is not so; in other words, that evil is always poisonous, does not uplift human beings, but degrades and humiliates them." Am I resisting God´s plans?
Zechariah was obedient to Yahweh. One part of God’s plan for each of us is that we also obey His commandments. Whether we be 10 years old or 80 years old we know He wants us to be obedient... we know he wants us to follow John’s example by spending time in prayer and fasting ... we know He wants us to give an example, as John did, so that others might be attracted to follow Jesus Christ. Our immediate response might be, “Who, me?” Yes ... us! Our destiny may not be as important as that of John the Baptist but we have the same responsibilities as he did. Here are a few examples. Both Zechariah and John made difficult decisions. We know there will be times in our lives when we will have to make decisions as to whether or not we will have the courage to publicly profess our faith to those around us. You young people here today will be tempted. Others you know will encourage you to become involved in drugs, sex and alcohol and to ignore the advice to follow God’s commandments. That can force you to make difficult decisions, one that might affect your popularity but it will not be as difficult as the one John made. He would not renounce God or Jesus and, for that reason, he lost his life. That’s a pretty big penalty to pay for the decision to obey God. However, I believe everyone here would agree that it was the right decision and that by making that decision, John not only assumed a place in history but also in Heaven.
His example is important to all of us.... to businessmen or women who are asked to use unethical tactics in the course of their careers ... to millions of expectant mothers who are tempted to terminate a pregnancy ... to all of us who may not be as committed to prayer, fasting and spreading the Word of God as was John the Baptist.
God is speaking to us just as He spoke to Zechariah. He is asking us to show our friends and associates HIS glory by the way we live our lives and how we follow His example. We hear His words each Sunday as we gather here and we determine, young and old, whether we will follow the example of Zechariah and John the Baptist and listen to His words and act as He has commanded us or if we freely decide to ignore His invitation. What we read today is not ancient history. It’s not as if what God said 2000 years ago has stopped applying to us in the 21st century. That’s why we come to here to Church each Sunday. Some may say, “But I don’t get anything out of the homily.” While it may be an important part of the ceremony, we don’t come to hear the homily. We come to worship God and to hear the words He has directed the prophets and the evangelists to pass on to us for our benefit.
Understand that God promises to us the same glory He promised to John. Let’s be realistic. I feel sure we won’t have to make decisions on which our very lives will depend but we must make decisions that will have an effect on something much more important ... decisions that are correct, even when they are difficult, that will have an effect on our spiritual and eternal lives. Zechariah was asked to make a decision and he responded affirmatively. John was asked to make a decision and he responded affirmatively and it cost him his life. God asks that we make decisions that will have an effect on our lives today and for all eternity.
WHAT WILL BE OUR ANSWER TO HIM?
HOW WILL WE RESPOND?
Today’s gospel has for us a model of discipleship. We often hear the phrase, faith hope and love, but the greatest of these is love. But, which is listed first? Faith, that elusive God given gift, the one that is hard to put a finger on. Faith is more than belief; faith is like love, it is an action word.
Today’s model of faith is found in both Zechariah and Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Zechariah surrendered to what God allowed in their personal lives together. Their choices were not based on personal motivation, but on a way of life, surrender, a life built around, organized around surrender to God.
Since Elizabeth and Mary, the mother of God, were cousins, do you suppose that Elizabeth and Zechariah were models for Jesus in his early years? Models that reminded Jesus of his need to surrender to the will of his heavenly Father?
We live in a world, a time and a culture that constantly gives us choices. Even the least of us gets to choose among four and six channels to watch on television. Even the least of us gets to choose whom we vote for, even the least of us get to decide whom we love and don’t love. We are blessed and cursed to live at this time, in this space. Cursed because the abundance of choices lull us into thinking that is the way it is with everything, including our number one relationship -- our relationship with God when we are in need.
When our relationship with God becomes one of surrender it is then that we have real choices -- real freedom.
The distant stares in the eyes of so many, the impersonal relationship with our neighbors, and the stampede of greed to get the most toys are all based on personal choice without the foundation of surrender to God. If we want personal, even family and community happiness then we must surrender to our God -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Our choices must be based not on our feelings or our need for power or control or autonomy. Our choices should be based on what is morally right, what others need, what will bring us all closer to God, together. Our conviction must be based less on personal need, Democratic or Republican ideals, or company policy, and more and more on needs of others. It should be based on the morals that the body of Christ on earth, the church, teaches us and what God speaks to us in our hearts. We need to tune in and listen. We need to become students of God’s will for us; we need to surrender to our God.
Have you ever gone on a vacation that was long enough for you to really begin to forget what was going on at home, at work? This vacation didn’t have to be one in a tropical paradise, or one in which you where spending a lot of money, but just one where you got away to a different space and finally began to lay down the everyday worries and cares. It may have taken a day or two or maybe a week or more before you finally began to recognize and rediscover the world around you. In this relaxed condition you started to recognize the many gifts and the beauty that surrounded you. Perhaps a peace comes over you as you enjoyed the relationships with those you love and care for. Maybe you even wanted to move to that place because of what it began to symbolize to you.
When we surrender to God we begin to get those same kinds of rewards. Slowly but surely we recognize his peace, even when the world around us picks up speed and buffets us with all kinds of potentially fearful things. When we surrender, our loved ones become more dear to us, our community friendlier, our direction more sure, internally it can be as if we have been on vacation long enough to finally be enjoying life.
The model of discipleship of Zechariah and Elizabeth is based on surrender and patience. John the Baptist is not conceived until very late in their life. The humanity of both is quite evident and thus encouraging to us. Elizabeth is portrayed as typical Jewish mother, even by today’s standards. A son, she gave birth to a son and everyone rejoiced in the Lord’s great mercy toward her. She obviously held in her heart and shared with whom ever would listen the desire to bear a son.
Zechariah is even amusing in his probable stubbornness and maybe continual need to talk. As we know, in order to help him hear God’s will for him his ability to speak is temporarily suspended!
In God’s mercy and not in God’s justice the happy couple get the opportunity to surrender in faith by naming the child, John. They also get the chance to grow in hope that God really is in charge and love by surrendering even their only son, for as the scripture concludes today it says that John grew strong in spirit, not in their place of worship, but in the desert.
These two people were not perfect, but they reached a high level of holiness and satisfaction in this life by surrendering themselves to God.
How about you and me, have we had enough of our way?
Are we ready to surrender more of ourselves this day, this week to our God?
Faith, hope and love, the greatest is love, but the foundation is a faith built on surrender.
Run up the white flag to your God!
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What Really Is Beautiful Anyway?
8:36am Monday, Jun 18
Ephesians 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. Right now I just want to deal with the first part of that verse Eph. 13:14a. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is mostly for girls. (Guys you can read it too, but girls have more issues with this than guys do). Girls are constantly thinking about what to wear and what will make them look good. We are always thinking about how the outside is looking, how our hair is, what makeup looks better, if this shirt or pants make us look fat...blah, blah, blah. Some days, though, I get up and I don't feel like messing around and putting thought into what I wear so I'll just decide on jeans, t-shirt, and maybe a hat. (I know it's not too fashionable, but I DON'T CARE) Guys get up and don't even give dressing themselves a second thought. They always look good in just jeans and a t-shirt. It's so not fair. Girls put a lot of thought into what they will wear that day. When a girl has a date, forget about it! We will spend maybe 30 min. trying on every single outfit. I know that I have done that many times. It may not have even been for a date. Its' just that I don't like anything that I have tried on. Ever heard the saying, "I have nothing to wear"? It's funny though, we say we have nothing to wear, but our closet it FILLED with clothes. My sister drives me nuts sometimes. Her closet is completely over-flowing with clothes and yet she still steels my clothes whose closet is only holding about 5 outfits.
The Bible tells us what to wear...the LORD JESUS CHRIST! He is our garment or fine linen. His spirit clothes us with joy and peace and strength. It is nice to look beautiful and dress up sometimes, but our main concern should be our inside...our gentle and quiet spirit.
This is what true beauty is: 1 Peter 3:4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
I think this is a beautiful picture of how a girl or woman should dress. It's all about our spirit. Has anyone ever told you that you were beautiful? I'm sure they have. But have you ever actually FELT beautiful? I'm not just talking about feeling beautiful about the outside, but knowing inside that you are truly beautiful. There's a kinda confidence that comes from a godly girl that radiates from the inside out. It's her gentle spirit and fear and love for Her Savior. (Here's a tip: Girls, my ex-boyfriend once told me that he doesn't like girls that dress to impress, if you know what I mean. He told me that He looks at her heart.) I was at my best friends wedding this past weekend. Her sister, Breezy, is a beautiful woman. She is 19 years old and absolutely gorgeous on the outside, but so much more beautiful on the inside. Her gentle spirit overflowed from her love for the Lord. Her heart for the Lord and for missions is a contagious joy. She has put on the Lord Jesus Christ. He gives beauty because He is beautiful. My mom always told me this whenever I spent a long time getting ready just to go to the grocery store, "Beauty comes from the inside, Jen". Its true, mom. I know girls have big issues with how they look. It's so hard with all those stupid magazines out there with Paris Hilton and all the anorexic girls looking like they do. We want to keep up with them. It makes us feel better. But what we need to remember is that looks fade. They will wash away. But like 1 Peter says, the person of the heart is an IMPERISHABLE quality of a gentle and quiet spirit. Imperishable means it won't wash away at end the end of the day like your makeup washes away in the water. It never dies. What we need to be concerned about is our spirit and heart and relationship with the Lord first. I challenge you, tape this verse up on your mirror. (Guys, you can do this too, if you want) Let it remind yourself everyday that it doesn't matter how you look on the outside. A person wants to see your heart. Let your love for the Lord shine through and you will be so beautiful inside and out. It doesn't matter how you look on the outside. Man looks on the outward appearance, BUT the LORD LOOKS ON THE HEART! All He sees in you is His son! You were washed with the Blood of the Lamb and that makes you all the more beautiful. He knows your heart and He thinks that you are breathtaking. Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
P.S. Praise God for who you are! You are so precious in God's sight. He thinks you are the ultimate image of Beauty. After all, He made you from His image. Genesis 1:27 And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
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St. Anthony of Padua
(1195-1231)
The gospel call to leave everything and follow Christ was the rule of Anthony's life. Over and over again God called him to something new in his plan. Every time Anthony responded with renewed zeal and self-sacrificing to serve his Lord Jesus more completely.
His journey as the servant of God began as a very young man when he decided to join the Augustinians, giving up a future of wealth and power to be a servant of God. Later, when the bodies of the first Franciscan martyrs went through the Portuguese city where he was stationed, he was again filled with an intense longing to be one of those closest to Jesus himself: those who die for the Good News.
So Anthony entered the Franciscan Order and set out to preach to the Moors. But an illness prevented him from achieving that goal. He went to Italy and was stationed in a small hermitage where he spent most of his time praying, reading the Scriptures and doing menial tasks.
The call of God came again at an ordination where no one was prepared to speak. The humble and obedient Anthony hesitantly accepted the task. The years of searching for Jesus in prayer, of reading sacred Scripture and of serving him in poverty, chastity and obedience had prepared Anthony to allow the Spirit to use his talents. Anthony's sermon was astounding to those who expected an unprepared speech and knew not the Spirit's power to give people words.
Recognized as a great man of prayer and a great Scripture and theology scholar, Anthony became the first friar to teach theology to the other friars. Soon he was called from that post to preach to the heretics, to use his profound knowledge of Scripture and theology to convert and reassure those who had been misled.
Comment:
Anthony should be the patron of those who find their lives completely uprooted and set in a new and unexpected direction. Like all saints, he is a perfect example of turning one's life completely over to Christ. God did with Anthony as God pleased—and what God pleased was a life of spiritual power and brilliance that still attracts admiration today. He whom popular devotion has nominated as finder of lost objects found himself by losing himself totally to the providence of God.
Quote:
In his Sermons, Anthony says: "The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ."
Gospel Reflection 20070617
Through the Holy Spirit, even people with human doubts can be inspired to go out and spread the word about Jesus.
The gifts of the Spirit are given to us to use and share with others. When we do, we are helping to "renew the face of the earth," as one prayer of the Church puts it. That's building a better world—and you can be the builder right now!
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Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
A Woman’s Love and Sorrow
June 17, 2007
Gospel
Lk 7:36—8:3 or 7:36-50
A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him,
and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.
Now there was a sinful woman in the city
who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.
Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,
she stood behind him at his feet weeping
and began to bathe his feet with her tears.
Then she wiped them with her hair,
kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself,
“If this man were a prophet,
he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him,
that she is a sinner.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Simon, I have something to say to you.”
“Tell me, teacher, ” he said.
“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor;
one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.
Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both.
Which of them will love him more?”
Simon said in reply,
“The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”
He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman?
When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet,
but she has bathed them with her tears
and wiped them with her hair.
You did not give me a kiss,
but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.
You did not anoint my head with oil,
but she anointed my feet with ointment.
So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven
because she has shown great love.
But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The others at table said to themselves,
“Who is this who even forgives sins?”
But he said to the woman,
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another,
preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.
Accompanying him were the Twelve
and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,
Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza,
Susanna, and many others who provided for them
out of their resources.
Today’s gospel reminds one of the story of the cookie thief. A woman at the airport waiting to catch her flight bought herself a bag of cookies, settled in a chair in the airport lounge and began to read her book. Suddenly she noticed the man beside her helping himself with cookies from the cookie bag between them. Not wanting to make a scene, she read on, ate cookies, and watched the clock. As the daring “cookie thief” kept on eating the cookies she got more irritated and said to herself, “If I wasn’t so nice, I’d blacken his eye!” With each cookie she took, he took one too. When only one was left, she wondered what he would do. Then with a smile on his face and a nervous laugh, he took the last cookie and broke it in half. He offered her half, and he ate the other. She snatched it from him and thought, “Oh brother, this guy has some nerve, and he’s also so rude, why, he didn’t even show any gratitude!” She sighed with relief when her flight was called. She gathered her belongings and headed for the gate, refusing to look at the ungrateful “thief.” She boarded the plane and sank in her seat, then reached in her baggage to fetch her book, and what she saw made her gasp with surprise. For there in front of her eyes was her bag of cookies. Then it dawned on her that the cookies she ate in the lounge was the man’s and not hers, that the man was not a thief but a friend who tried to share, that she was the rude one, the ungrateful one, the thief.
The cookie thief story reminds us, as we see in today’s gospel, that it often happens that the one pointing the accusing finger turns out to be the guilty one, that the complainant sometimes turns out to be the offending party. In the cookie story, the woman believed she was such a wonderful person to put up with the rudeness and ingratitude of the man sitting beside her. In the end she discovered that she was the rude and ungrateful one and the man was wonderfully friendly. In the gospel the Pharisee thinks he is the righteous one who is worthy to be in the company of Jesus and that the woman was the sinful one, unworthy to be seen with Jesus. In the end Jesus showed each of them where they really belonged and the woman was seen as the one who was righteous and more deserving of the company of Jesus than the self-righteous Pharisee.
Why do things like this happen? Well, because it is easier to hear the other person than it is to hear yourself snoring. It is easy to notice the fault of other people while being blind to our own faults. Great men and women of God have been, all without exception, people who are so aware of their own inadequacies that they are hardly surprised at other people’s shortcomings. People who delight in criticizing others betray their lack of self-awareness. In the end they discover that they themselves are indeed the cookie thieves that they accuse others to be.
But what was the mistake of the Pharisee? If the woman was indeed a prostitute where then did he err? After all, what he said about the woman was true, wasn’t it? Of course the woman was a sinner. Jesus did not say that the woman was not a sinner. Jesus only said that the man was a sinner too, and in fact a worse sinner than the woman.
I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love (Luke 7:44-47).
The problem of the Pharisee was his notion of sin and holiness. For him the woman was an “occasion of sin” to be avoided by godly people. Jesus corrects him: it is not what you avoid that counts, it is what you do. The Pharisee might indeed have avoided occasions of sin, but he did nothing for Jesus in need. The woman, on the other hand, attended to the practical needs of Jesus. Jesus accepts the woman’s external show of love as a clear manifestation of inner faith: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (verse 50). This practical engagement is the crucial difference between her and the Pharisee. How do we employ our faith in practical service of the needy?
Today’s gospel is good news indeed to all who have been humiliated by the “good people” of this world, humiliated in a supposed concern to maintain the standard of holiness in the household of God. Jesus assures them that they are indeed closer to the heart of God than their accusers have made them to believe. And to those who, like the Pharisee, feel that Jesus is their exclusive birthright, the Good News for them today is simple: Watch it, lest in the end you discover that it is you who are the cookie thief after all.
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St. John Francis Regis
(1597-1640)
Born into a family of some wealth, John Francis was so impressed by his Jesuit educators that he himself wished to enter the Society of Jesus. He did so at age 18. Despite his rigorous academic schedule he spent many hours in chapel, often to the dismay of fellow seminarians who were concerned about his health. Following his ordination to the priesthood, he undertook missionary work in various French towns. While the formal sermons of the day tended toward the poetic, his discourses were plain. But they revealed the fervor within him and attracted people of all classes. Father Regis especially made himself available to the poor. Many mornings were spent in the confessional or at the altar celebrating Mass; afternoons were reserved for visits to prisons and hospitals.
Though Father Regis longed to work as a missionary among the North American Indians in Canada, he was to live out his days working for the Lord in the wildest and most desolate part of his native France. There he encountered rigorous winters, snowdrifts and other deprivations. Meanwhile, he continued preaching missions and earned a reputation as a saint. One man, entering the town of Saint-Andé, came upon a large crowd in front of a church and was told that people were waiting for "the saint" who was coming to preach a mission.
The last four years of his life were spent preaching and in organizing social services, especially for prisoners, the sick and the poor. In the autumn of 1640, Father Regis sensed that his days were coming to a conclusion. He settled some of his affairs and prepared for the end by continuing to do what he did so well: speaking to the people about the God who loved them. On December 31, he spent most of the day with his eyes on the crucifix. That evening, he died. His final words were: "Into thy hands I commend my spirit."
He was canonized in 1737.
Comment:
John longed to travel to the New World and become a missionary to the Native Americans, but he was called instead to work among his own compatriots. Unlike many famous preachers, he isn't remembered for golden-tongued oratory. What people who listened to him heard was his own fervent faith, and it had a powerful effect on them. We can recall homilists who impressed us for the same reason. More importantly for us, we can also remember ordinary people, neighbors and friends, whose faith and goodness touched us and brought us to deeper faith. That is the calling most of us must follow.
Gospel Reflection 20070610
The Holy Spirit is like air or electricity. You can't see those things but you can feel or see what they do.
The wind is invisible yet you see it bend a tree. Electricity can't be held in your hand but you're reading this message on a computer that wouldn't work without it. The Holy Spirit can be recognized by looking for signs of inspiration in other people's lives— especially people in the Bible—and in our own life. The Holy Spirit is a living presence in our lives—just like our heartbeat and pulse— that helps us do whatever we do. The Holy Spirit gives us a boost of creativity or insight or energy or patience or inspiration—whenever we need it— whether we know we need it or not.
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June 10, 2007
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
Transubstantiation (in Latin, transsubstantiatio) is the change of the substance of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ occurring in the Eucharist according to the teaching of some Christian Churches, including the Roman Catholic Church. In Greek, it is called μετουσίωσις (see Metousiosis).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transubstantiation
THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt1art3.htm
Gospel
Lk 9:11b-17
Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God,
and he healed those who needed to be cured.
As the day was drawing to a close,
the Twelve approached him and said,
"Dismiss the crowd
so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms
and find lodging and provisions;
for we are in a deserted place here."
He said to them, "Give them some food yourselves."
They replied, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have,
unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people."
Now the men there numbered about five thousand.
Then he said to his disciples,
"Have them sit down in groups of about fifty."
They did so and made them all sit down.
Then taking the five loaves and the two fish,
and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing over them, broke them,
and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
They all ate and were satisfied.
And when the leftover fragments were picked up,
they filled twelve wicker baskets.
We celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi by being the Body of Christ, being what we have received. What is important in those words today?
The words today are meant to help us celebrate a feast formerly called simply the Body of Christ, Corpus Christi and now the Body and Blood of Christ. Starting from the 13th century it grew to be a feast with processions and incense and fancy vestments on the priests and servers. They were accompanied by the knights with swords and plumes and all. In some ethnic communities it was a feast with a procession through the neighborhood. In others it was celebrated solely inside the church. Certainly it was a celebration with "bells and smells". The problem was that people had stopped receiving the Eucharist and it became a celebration of a distant Jesus we bowed down to, but seldom touched. It was a celebration in which Jesus seemingly touched us with good ethnic piety, but not with the vigor to go and do what he did. We had forgotten that the Body and Blood are really to be eaten and drunk. Today we listen with new ears to the same readings and with a renewed sense of this Body of Christ not as some untouchable bread, but as us, touchable and needing to touch us as an example of how to be like Him.
In today's feeding of the multitude Luke shows us another lesson of the Body of Christ and the patience of Jesus in forming those he had chosen. The story, again, needs to be placed. The 12 had just returned from a preaching and healing mission. They were trying to get away for some quiet time. But the crowds came and the 12 felt lost in trying to deal with the crowds. So, they ask Jesus to send the crowds away to care for themselves. The apostles understood that what they had was scarce, so it could not be shared with so many. Jesus however knew something more about plenty, so following the ritual of a meal and he took what seemed like limited bread, blessed it, broke it and distributed it for all. He not only fed the multitude, there was so much left over that it could continue to feed. So it is with Eucharist, there is plenty to feed a multitude far greater than we can begin to understand. Is it not so with those called the Body of Christ? There is no scarcity if only we will pay attention.
Our celebration as the faithful, hearing Luke, is to know what the apostles did not know, that the body of Christ is not limited and can feed the whole people and still be left over to serve more.
Perhaps hearing these words of bread we might see ourselves as a lot like this loaf of bread. This loaf is beautiful as a whole; it has some weight to it, it smells good, the surface is great to touch, the color shows being well baked. But it is hardly able to be eaten, much less shared as a whole loaf. If it is broken open it can be shared and feed more than the one holding it. (Here tearing open the loaf symbolizes opening the word and the Eucharist we celebrate) It is a wonder someone could call something soft, crushable, sliced and bagged wonder bread when one notes the wonder of this loaf now broken open. The loaf has a crust and a soft interior, yet all of it is bread. There is no distinction or class here. This one loaf will not feed all, but bits torn off will feed far more than we might have imagined. Paul's word, Luke's word, our word!
Now let us celebrate the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, giving thanks for being called to participate in the Body and Blood coming to be in our midst. Let us give thanks for our coming to be the Body of Christ as we receive the consecrated bread. And let us give thanks for being called to dare to drink in being HIM as we share the cup. Finally, as you are sent out at the end of the celebration, take with you the food you have become and share it with the multitudes who will need to be fed this week. Knowing that only we can try to limit the reality of Jesus and only we can let go of limits we might place on him.
In a short story named "Meridan", a little girl is playing in her back yard, when she discovers a piece of metal. As she picks it up, she recognizes it as a bar of gold. After she digs it up, she carries it into the house to show her mother.
Her mom was busy shelling peas on the back porch and said, "Move that thing out of the way. Don't you see that I'm trying to get supper ready"? "But it's gold", the little girl insists. "Feel how heavy it is. Look how yellow it is. It's gold. It could make us rich".
But her mother wasn't impressed and the little girl felt rejected. So, she takes her bar of gold and puts it in a shoebox and buries it under the magnolia tree in their yard. Once a week, she digs it up and holds the bar of gold in her lap. Then, she does it less and less often. Soon, its only once a month, until finally she forgets to dig it up at all. And then she acts like everyone else, as someone who has no gold at all. I'm wondering if our celebration of Corpus Christi hasn't fallen into that trap too. I'm told that, for many centuries, this feast was one of the most popular in the Church-with processions in the streets carrying the Blessed Sacrament. Apparently that tradition has fallen by the wayside today-especially in the United States.
When this feast was established, it had a twofold focus but, for whatever reason, the focus that got emphasized was the Real Presence of Jesus under the appearance of bread and wine.
The other meaning, which I'm going to try to focus on is that the Body of Christ, (Corpus Christi) refers to the whole people of God-us-you and me. The Body of Christ in the Eucharist is there so that we might be the Body of Christ in the world. To perhaps put it in a different way; the Jesus-presence in the Eucharist is for the sake of the Jesus-presence in the world through us. The Real Presence in the Eucharist is there to make us the Real Presence in the world.
We aren't expected to be a Mother Teresa or an Oscar Romero or Padre Pio or any other 'great' saint for that matter. We can, however, reflect on some of the saints and try to emulate them.
All of us come from different backgrounds and have different gifts from the Lord. Jesus just wants to blend Himself into our lives so that we can bring Him to our world.
What I'm trying to say-what this feast is trying to say-is that we must realize that we are not here alone. Because of our baptism, we are one with believers all over the world. We break bread with them, wherever they are. None of us are just innocent bystanders. We are connected via this feast to people who are sick or in prison or enslaved or whatever. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.
That is the feast's original intent. Apparently, it has fallen by the wayside. Maybe it's our secular culture or, perhaps more likely, it's because we have venerated the Body of Christ from afar-only on the altar or in monstrances. Maybe it's because we have not become the Body of Christ to the world.
What I'm trying to say is that, in the beginning, this feast was not just a passive feast--with us only gazing on the Real Presence. We must remember that this feast has an active element also. And, that active element is us-showing the Christ in us to the world.
So, in a few moments, when we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, let's remember our faith, not only in the Real Presence in the Host but also Jesus' Real Presence in us too. That's why we're here. And, that's why Jesus nourishes us, so that we can nourish others.
We are the Body of Christ. When we realize that, maybe then the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ will become more appreciated again. It would be nice, wouldn't it? Let's not 'bury' our gold.
We still find people who want to live in the past. "The Mass was so much better then". In Latin - with the priest celebrating and the people silent. "Much more reverent". This some 40 years after Vatican II [1962 - 1965] when it was decided the Church had migrated away from the people, out of their reach, away from their understanding, away from their God given obligation to participate and through their participation to spread the news - to mission.
Picture the scene - Priest facing the Altar - his back to the people - speaking, singing, chanting, the words in a language you mostly did not understand - or learned parrot fashion. A splendid celebration 0 incense - magnificent vestments - and the tabernacle - gold [gilded], ornate - high on the wall above the altar, housing the Body of Christ - for all to see - for al to reverence, kneeling in adoration - untouched - untouchable!! was this what our Lord wanted? Was this why he celebrated the Last Supper with his friends?
Now picture this scene. Leonardo de Vinci's Last Supper. One of the most copied pictures of art in all the world. Have you seen it? Do you have a copy? If so look closely - this is the artists concept of the first Mass - there is no altar, no altar rail, no white hosts, no altar servers, no Latin, no vestments. The "congregation" is gathered around Christ - with him - sharing his physical and Eucharistic presence in common bread and wine in their native Aramaic language.
Note this - we cannot understand the Mass unless we understand the Last Supper - we can't understand the Last Supper unless we understand the Jewish Passover meal - we cannot understand the Passover meal unless we understand what it celebrated - the Exodus - the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
Jesus and his disciples were celebrating a ritual meal. Jesus did not invent the themes of the Passover meal - he took a meal already there, heavy with liberation themes, and gave it a new dimension. The change he made and the emphasis he out on this already highly established, symbolic, ritual meal, would bring the theme of freedom to its fulfillment. His death - the next day ("... My body, broken for you ... my blood, given for you ...") would give genuine release to all.
The covenant between God and man remembered - reenacted - every year in the Jewish Passover meal, suddenly took on a new dimension. "This is my body - for you" "This is the new covenant in my blood".
The young Church was not concerned that Jesus was truly present in the Bread and Wine, or how he was present - he just was present - that's all. But what really mattered was what Jesus was doing - what demands was he making on them in that ritual meal? Jesus was not there as a passive presence - to be marveled - he was active! He had something to say, and he needed someone to say it - proclaim it - "Until the Lord comes, therefore, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming his death - the true Paschal Lamb, laying down his life that we might live. The ritual sacrificial meal originating in God's deliverance of the Israelites culminates in Jesus' deliverance of all mankind on the cross, and that, for us, is not the end. That for us is the beginning. Jesus, the new covenant is alive in us, we consume him, and he consumes us by this celebration, and we are empowered by him to pass on the ongoing history of salvation. We are called to make the crowds welcome - and talk to them about the kingdom of God - and feed them the bread of life. Yes silent adoration is required - silent adoration has its place - reverence of the Blessed Sacrament is most honorable and should be encouraged - but then we are asked by our Lord to feed his sheep - pass on the message of salvation. Are we ready for the challenge ... "This is what I received from the Lord, and in turn pass it on to you". Let us pray the courage to do this in our world, in our time.
Gospel Reflection 20070603
Continue bringing the Jubilee Pledge to life: Live Justly!
The most important opportunities to work for justice and peace do not come through special programs, but in the choices we make and the way we treat others every day.
Seize opportunities to promote justice and peace at home, in your parish, at school, at work and in community activities.
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Trinity Sunday
June 3, 2007
Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Western Christian liturgical calendar. Trinity Sunday celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the three persons of God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Today's Gospel reading summarizes the effects of the Trinity in our daily lives. St. John tells us what the Holy Spirit is going to do for us as we go about our daily tasks.
Gospel
Jn 16:12-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you."
We have all envisioned what the heavenly Father looks like; he has been depicted in many fashions in paintings. But generally we see him as an old fatherly figure, possibly resembling our own earthly father. You see it isn’t hard to envision him because we all understand somewhat what a father is supposed to look like. And Jesus, the Son of God is also easy for us to see since he became human to suffer and die for us. But for some reason, it is hard to put a face to the Holy Spirit. The church at times has depicted it as a dove or flames of fire, but it is very hard to describe something that is a spirit that we have never seen. We heard in the letter for Paul today how “the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us”. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Most Holy Trinity, is the love that exists between the Father and the Son for us. It is hard to describe love, much less see it physically. No wonder then that it is difficult for some ‘humans’ to understand how God can be one, yet three at the same time. Lets see if we can describe the trinity using human terms to help us to understand how God is one: yet three.
From the most read verse in scripture (John 3:16) we hear that ”God so loved the world that he gave his only Son”. This verse gives us the famous Father-Son relationship. If God has a Son, then He must be the Father. Therefore God is made up of at least two persons. And we heard today in the reading to the Romans how their love is poured out to us through the Holy Spirit. Now we have added a third person to God, that of the Spirit. And of course in today’s gospel we heard how “when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide us to all truth”. Therefore, scripture tells us that there is but one God, yet made up of three persons.
What are we as Christians suppose to believe about the Trinity? From the Catechism of the Catholic Church (#253) we read, “We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons. The divine persons do not share the one divinity among themselves but each of them is God whole and entire: ‘The Father is that which the Son is, the Son that which the Father is, the Father and the Son that which the Holy Spirit is, i.e., by nature one God’”. And in #254 we read, “The divine persons are really distinct from one another. God is one but not solitary”.
For some of us mere human beings this can be hard to truly understand. You see, we might ‘believe’ through faith, but truly understanding three in one can be difficult. Do we know of anyone who is one, yet is made up of three persons? We all know in math that three can’t equal one. Therefore, it is not an easy concept to grasp. I found a relatively easy-to-understand comparison to use though in a child’s storybook titled “Three in One: a picture of God” by Joanne Marxhausen. In the book she explains the Trinity using an apple, so I thought I would try to explain the three persons of the Trinity to you today by using an apple.
We all know what an apple is and what an apple isn’t. It is a tasty fruit that is quite recognizable. There is even a saying about an apple, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Well I like to think that an apple is made up of 3 parts: the skin, the meaty fruit and the core. It takes all three parts to make up an apple, yet each part alone is apple. If someone was to peel an apple, and you saw the peelings on the counter you would know it was apple, not something else. If you tasted the delicious meat of the apple you would know that is apple and not something else. And if you saw an apple core lying on the ground, you would know that it is an apple core and not something else. All three parts are uniquely apple all on their own; yet all three make up one apple.
So it is with the Trinity: God is one, yet three unique persons, who individually are all God.
I like to compare the skin of the apple to God the Father. An apple can never outgrow its skin: when the apple starts out small the skin is small, but it continues to grow and stretch, as the apple gets bigger. So it is with the love that God the Father has for us. He loves us so much that He sent his only Son for our salvation. The Father’s love for us stretches, much like the skin of an apple, to totally envelop us. We can never outgrow the Father’s love for us, His love is like a protective skin that we wear every day.
I like to compare the sweet meaty fruit of the apple with God the Son, Jesus. Just as the tasty apple is good for our livelihood and nourishment, so was the Son of God sent to us. He came for our livelihood, our eternal salvation. And we have the opportunity to be nourished with his body and blood every day in the Eucharist. Just as an apple a day will keep our body healthy, the Eucharist will keep us spiritually healthy as well.
I like to compare the core of the apple to God the Holy Spirit. The apple gets its livelihood and strength from the core, which is constantly feeding it. In the same way the Holy Spirit is constantly giving us strength and help every day of our lives. Just as the seeds from that core can start a new apple tree, so the Holy Spirit can enkindle within us life anew.
So, just as one apple is made up of the three parts, all uniquely apple, so our one God is made up of the three persons: Father, Son and Spirit. Each of them is uniquely God, and each of them has a purpose for us.
I think God is made up of three unique persons to show how he shares his love with us in many ways. God the Father loves us so much that he sent us His only Son for our Salvation. God the Son loved us so much that he gave of His own earthly life so that we may have eternal life and shares that love with us in the Eucharist every day. God the Holy Spirit shares His love with us each day by guiding us and giving us strength. So we have one loving God sharing His love for us in many ways.
Just as an apple can be shared with others, and God shares His love with us, so we must also share His love with others.
Three Steps of Faith
(1) Learn the Truth (2) Make It Your Own (3) Declare It Faithfully
1. Learn the Truth - The Blessed Trinity is a mystery that far surpasses my comprehension. Yet it also reveals the most basic process of faith, of Christian maturity. When we receive faith, it is like a seed that needs development: “You cannot bear it now.” The Holy Spirit guides us to a fuller understanding so that our faith can show itself in our lives. We come to a better understanding of God, ourselves, our lives and others, especially in a world that tends to distort it. We must be convinced that we need to grow, to deepen our faith and widen it to encompass all the dimensions of our lives. To stop learning my faith (that which I believe) and to stop growing my faith (that by which I believe) is to thwart the Holy Spirit’s plans over my life. He has more to tell me! Do I believe it and seek it? How?
2. Make It Your Own. Jesus here identifies the truths of faith – as well as what the Father “has” – as “his”. So the faith is something personal to be possessed. It must be made my own! Faith is not made my own by reducing it to mere sentiment or subjective conviction. It is the same for everyone. We must adjust to it, not adjust it to ourselves. It is personal but not therefore different for each, like choices on a cafeteria menu. As Pope Benedict XVI clarified in the homily before his election: “An ‘adult’ faith is not a faith that follows the trends of fashion and the latest novelty; a mature adult faith is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ” (Homily, April 18, 2005). Do I fully possess my faith? Or do I feel it forced upon me, as though something foreign? Is my faith heartfelt as well as accepted by my intellect? Do I make it my own by accepting it, embracing it, loving it, growing in it, exercising it, defending it, sharing it?
3. Declare It Faithfully. The unity of the Trinity is not static, but a living dynamism. They live and act in unity. “He will take from what is mine.…” This has two implications. The mission of the Holy Spirit is precisely to remind us of what Jesus taught (Cf. Jn.14:26). He is faithful to his mission by teaching Christ. For us too, possessing the faith leads to sharing it. What is alive tends to grow. Pope John Paul II put it simply: "Those who have come into genuine contact with Christ cannot keep him for themselves, they must proclaim him. This proclamation must not be imposed but proposed ‘with confidence…’" (Address of June 5, 2001).
Secondly, we must proclaim the one truth we have received. “He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears.” Fidelity to the Truth is fidelity to the Love that entrusted it to us. Worse than not sharing Christ would be altering his message. The Church, with the Holy Spirit that animates her, aids us in this commission to faithfully declare Christ and what he taught. My love for Christ can be measured by how faithful I am in transmitting his message. How great is my love for him?
The great American dream is vacation, time off, retirement, as if saving is the most important dimension of a person. In much of the pop psychology and theology of the day, we are warned to take care of ourselves . . . even if it means to neglect others. We are taught to hoard and self protect; but, when did you ever feel as good about yourself as when you've been generous. Isn't it true that your best moments, your moments of greatest satisfaction are when you have been generous, self-sacrificing, helpful, caring for others? Do you think you learned that from God, from Jesus, from the fact that it is written into your nature by creation that pouring out is God's way?
At a time when Jesus was proclaiming the blessedness of carrying one's cross and following in his footsteps, he said, "any one of you who would preserve your life, cling to it, hoard your blessings and gifts, you will lose it. On the other hand, any one of you who would pour yourself out for me, for your brothers and sisters, you will find and save yourself."
Open your own cup/self to receive the outpourings of God's love, hope, peace, and courage. And, then pour out your own life in service, in justice, in compassion, in love.
There is no prayer used more frequently than the sign of the cross, and it often comes as a surprise to the Christian that it took several hundred years for the Church to arrive at a knowledge about the Trinity stable enough to define the Trinity as a dogma requiring belief.
The Trinity is a mystery - probably the most profound mystery of Christianity. Yet there would be no point in God revealing mysteries to us unless there is at least some aspect of them that we can understand. And we do find two key elements in this mystery that the human mind can grasp.
The first is the fact that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are distinct, different from one another. They are unique individuals. To help us understand that uniqueness, God has revealed to us three separate functions that are carried out by the three persons. He has told us that it is proper to attribute to God the Father the work of creation; to God the son, the work of Redemption, of reconciling, of healing. And to the Holy Spirit, the work of guidance in truth, the work of teaching. The second feature about the Trinity that is understandable, is that while each person is different from the other, those three persons live in community. God is a family.
Sacred Scripture says that you and I are made to the image and likeness of God. And so it is not surprising that you and I have the same two qualities of God that we just described. First, we have a craving to be unique, to be ourselves, to be different, to make our own special imprint on history. We don't want to be clones. We want to be seen and accepted as special individuals. Second, like God we have the tendency to want to be in community. It is not good for man to be alone. No one is an island; we are all part of the main. We resist isolation. We are social beings; we want to live with others.
And so fundamentally, in the core of our being, we are like God, for the simple reason that the same qualities which exist in God are found in us. We have a drive to be unique, and we have another drive to be in community with others.
Beyond these basic likenesses, each of us is called to become more like God throughout our lives. Like God the Father, we are called upon to be productive, creative persons. To contribute to the building up of the fabric of our family, our church, our community and our nation. We do not imitate God when we destroy, shred, unravel, whether we are talking about our neighbor's reputation, or the social order to which he belongs. Like God the Son, we are called upon to reconcile, to be peacemakers, to put back together that which has been broken, to restore what has been shattered. And like God the Holy Spirit, it is our task to uncover truth, to dispel ignorance, to teach. And when we teach, to do so in an encouraging way, not with force and not with an air of superiority.
When I do these things, when I am productive, when I reconcile, when I teach, then I am imitating God and that means I am becoming holy.
